Arresting Jamaican lottery scams: is it too late?

Jamaica is under intense scrutiny international for the lottery scams that target America’s senior citizens. Are the country’s efforts enough reverse the bad publicity that has been generated?

Since our post in May 2012 post on Telemarketing scams, lottery scams (also known as advanced fee fraud) originating from Jamaica and targeting senior citizens in the United States (US), have been receiving increased attention. More victims are coming forward, and US law enforcement have expressed concerned that the Jamaican authorities were not doing enough to tackle the situation.

Over the past few days, major US television networks have increased coverage of the scams originating from Jamaica, which essentially casts the country in a less than favourable light. Later today, 13 March, the US Senate will hold a special hearing on “Jamaican phone fraud targeting seniors”, at which some victims, among others, will be testifying. Has Jamaica been sitting on its laurels? And even with its efforts to date, what are some of the implications and lessons we, both as individual Caribbean countries and a region as a whole, can learn?

What is Jamaica doing to arrest advance fee fraud?

At a breakfast forum organised by the Business Processing Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ) in late February, the Minister of Justice, Senator the Honourable Mark Golding, highlighted key efforts and initiatives implemented by the Government to address lottery scams/advance fee fraud:

Establishment of a dedicated task force based in Montego Bay (where most of the fraudulent activity is alleged to originate) to tackle the situation directly. The initiative has begun to yield some success:

Preparation of the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) Special Provisions Bill 2013, which was passed in the Lower House of Parliament last week. A comprehensive piece of legislation that addresses matters ranging from possession of paraphernalia used in fraudulent activities, to sentencing and restitution to victims.

Amendments to existing legislation to permit, among other things, asset forfeiture, confiscation of criminal property, and remote testimony by witnesses for court proceedings in Jamaica.

Public education campaigns to increase awareness of advance fee fraud, its effects in the society, and the damage and consequences that can result.

Additionally, although the Senate hearing should occur as scheduled, senior government officials from Jamaica have been in the US to highlight the measures that have been implemented, as the video clip below shows:

Is it too late?

Advance fee fraud originating from Jamaica has been around for at least five years, but seems to have exploded in the last three years. The suite of legislative measures that the Government of Jamaica has, or is in the process of rolling out, appear to be aggressive, and seeks to address critical deficiencies that hindered successful prosecution and conviction in the past.

Although the legislation should better equip law enforcement with the necessary tools to secure convictions, and also act as a deterrent to others who might want to engage in such activities, the following ought to be considered:

Teething of new legislation. The most substantial law to address scamming is the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) Special Provisions Bill 2013, which is not yet fully enacted. However, when it is put into effect, which should occur in the coming weeks, it is possible that the Act might not have everything right. Shortfalls and loopholes might become evident, which could affect its effectiveness, and may require legislative amendments to be prepared to address deficiencies that may subsequently be identified.

Crime sophistication. In our earlier telemarketing scamming post, the proceeds from Jamaican scamming were projected at USD 300 million a year. However recent reports have revised estimates to over USD 1 billion per year (Source: Huffington Post). Nevertheless, scamming, like the drug trade, is extremely lucrative, and the stringent measures that are now being implemented may cause criminals to be more creative and sophisticated in their approach, thus avoiding prosecution.

It is also instructive to consider that the hearing before the US Senate could lead to recommendations for sanctions to be instituted against Jamaica. Although sanctions might not be implemented, in light of the steps the Government has rolled out, it is sobering to consider that Jamaica has found itself in a similar position to Nigeria. In 1998, the US Congress introduced a Bill, Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud Prevention Act of 1998, to address the frequent instances of fraud originating from Nigeria. Although the Bill was never passed, it did include provisions for “imposition of economic and other sanctions on the Government of Nigeria” (GovTrack.us).

Finally, in light of the degree of negative publicity to which Jamaica is being subject, thanks to the scamming, in the short term it may be difficult to reverse unfavourable perceptions of the country, unless or until substantial crime reduction is realised. Having said this, the positive aspects of “Brand Jamaica” are still strong, but careful management of the country’s image internationally may be required in the longer term, to limit damage to the country’s reputation generally, and more specifically, as a place to do business.

About the author

Michele Marius

Michele Marius has a wealth of experience in the telecoms and ICT space, which has been gained in the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and the South Pacific, and in the public and private sectors. She is the Editor and Publisher of ICT Pulse.

Permanent link to this article: http://www.ict-pulse.com/2013/03/arresting-jamaican-lottery-scams-late/

1 comment

monie

Interesting post as usual. I don’t think its too late. However we need to realise that to tackle this effectively we need not only to amend the current act but introduce new legislations as these calls can be made using more than just a cell phone which can be easily traced by the ISP. I have always wondered why is it there isn’t a computer misuse act, yes a number of the issues my be covered in the telecommunications and or the cybercrime act however there is a reason why developed countries have them separate. I think much of the time spent debate stuff such as taking flogging off the books could be spent on critical issues such as this. The attitude of many that this this is a soft crime will not change if the people in charge continue to treat it as such. In addition to these new and amended laws we also need to ensure proper training of the personnel investigating these crimes. As the criminal become more sophisticated in their methodology so should the personnel who will be investigating and prosecuting them.

Honestly my concern is not so much the whole thing of Jamaica’s reputation (which is important) but the spin off in the island with gangs and guns.